What are the strengths of your organization?

What are the strengths of your organization?

The strengths of the Intergovernmental Relations department in the Town of Gilbert is their commitment to public service, to the town of Gilbert. They take pride in the accomplishments and the change, forming Gilbert to be a well rounded and respected town here in Arizona. The team work and the commitment to get the job done. One analogy I heard a lot was, Gilbert is the little brother that is finally growing up. I liked hearing this, because it was true in so many ways.

If you were in charge of a similar organization, are there any things you would do differently?

I do not think there is much to change but follow the consistent flow of placing good leadership to lead the departments. Ensuring everyone wants to do a good job and have the same commitment to public service and want to accomplish the goals we set out accomplish together as a team. The “Team Gilbert” mentality is an appropriate one, it drives the employees to do a good job and ensures the employees that they are all team members. That we are all trying to accomplish the same goal for the betterment of the Town of Gilbert.

Work Everyday... [Free Write]

Last year I had a class that I was very interested in taking and it wasn't a core class but an upper-division elective for me, the class was “reservation economic development”. This class was very helpful for me to start honing my networking skills with different tribal governments and personnel. I learned a lot and learned more about my networking skills that became very helpful for me this internship, same game but just a lot of different players. One acquaintance I was able to meet and maintain a relationship with is Arizona legislative district 7 senator Carlyle Begay. During our class through invitation we had the opportunity to meet him and do a Q & A. Our class was 75% Native Americans everyone was intrigued to listen to him. Out of the whole class who attended I was the only one asking the difficult questions and not just letting him force feed us the answers. It was apparent we had differences in opinions, but I respected him, I knew I could learn from him even if he wasn't my cup of politics. Back to now, I ran into Senator Begay at a function in Gilbert and he at first did not remember me, but later took interest to where we first met. Our networking time was coming to an end but he did talk with me, I figured that was that. He later would get in contact with my supervisor Leah and request a lunch with her and I. She told me and asked if I knew Senator Begay prior, and I told her how I met him, how I questioned him, and how we talked while networking. The lunch was brief, more of a meeting, he just asked how was school, what I was in school for, and when will I be complete. There was small talk and we touched other subjects, he then told me he wanted to have another lunch when I was finishing up my internship. But before our next lunch he invited to attend a meeting with him at Arizona Senator John McCain's office. I always knew that there would be times that I would meet or be in the presence of politicians that may not be my cup of politics but how I handle it will prove if I was where I want to be with an involvement in politics. I jumped through a lot of hoops to attend this meeting but I made it, I listened, I learned, and I talked when allowed. I guess I kind of seen what was to come later, present day, before it happened. I have my lunch with Senator Begay coming up and I free write more on it...

The Hardest Working... [Free Write]

In my internship I work with a lot of different people on our team and each person brings a certain value to the team and as a whole collective we are able to function with ease because everyone does their job. But there is one person, who does more than most and I feel she doesn't always get the recognition she should. Every team meeting we have I compliment her and I always tell her “thank you” and that she is doing a good job. She plays an important role in organization, with making sure the correct information is relayed to the right people. She is very humble in her doings, as I stated I give her recognition every team meeting and she just smiles at me. I see the hard work she puts in and I can relate, as I too was once a secretary of a department. She is Mayor Lewis' secretary but also apart of our team. She maintains everyone's travel schedule and ensures everyone's RSVP's to functions. She always makes sure we get the emails we need and then sometimes calls and verifies we have received them. She is always a pleasure to work with and when I am not there I hope she gets the utmost recognition for her hard work. The co-worker I am speaking of is Vicki, the most humble, respectful, and joyous person I have worked with here in Gilbert.   

Start From Scratch... [Free Write]

So I have been taking advantage of all the networking opportunities, today they had a meeting of the all the interviewees for the assistant to the town manager position. I went into the meet and greet to network with all applicants. I was talking to a gentleman from Settle, WA and we talked about school and his public service commitment. He enjoys working for his city but wishes to advance in his career so he threw his name in at the Town of Gilbert. Talking with him and a few others put things into perspective to me a little. The commitment to public service, the willingness to change your location and move your family to pursue a career you enjoy to do. I am still not sure I necessarily want to go and work for my tribe, but irregardless if I do or not I will continue to help them, maybe consult. I know how to approach I and think it is my obligation to serve the public and tribal members on my reservation. I know there will be a time when I may want to leave the tribal government to work at another level/form of government and with talking to these applicants I understand if you truly like helping others you will take your show on the road. Everyone I talked to offered advice on my educational goals, and told me to stay focused and I will be joining them in working in government in no time. I'm networking at a descent rate and I really think I am almost ready and can't wait to get out there.

SKYE

How does your organization demonstrate public service and/or urban governance...

So on this post we have a topic to write about, and this one is “How does your organization demonstrate public service and/or urban governance?”...

I am privileged to work in the Town of Gilbert intergovernmental relations department and working with a bunch of talented individuals that each bring something to the table. As apart of the team I understand how we play the background and do the leg work to help ensure the Mayor, Town Manager, and town council is ready and informed on all situations involving the Town of Gilbert and also the surrounding cities. We have to attend a lot of meeting to stay informed to help better ensure a wise decision, the team lobbies at the state to ensure the public in Gilbert get what they deserve. The town of Gilbert has been a rising town and receiving awards for the hard work that is done by all public servants. I see that working at the Town of Gilbert there is a lot of pride and everyone wants to maintain the status that has been achieved through the hard work. The team I know and am a part of takes public service very seriously, by reviewing emails, voice mails and letters all directed to the Mayor or the Town specifically and maintaining a professional relationship with the public. Addressing all questions, comments, and concerns in a timely manner servicing the public because that is big priority. I am a public service public policy major and this is what I like to see and how I want to be as a professional, putting the town and the public first, understanding the true meaning to public service.

SKYE

Ready Set Go... [Free Write]

Well it seems there is an opening in the Town of Gilbert for the Assistant to the Town Manager. I was in a carpool heading to a grand opening with the team and I heard them say my direct supervisor Leah was interviewing for the position. I was astonished to her this but I was happy for Leah, she works really hard and is very good at what she does. Every time we have a one-on-one I soak up everything and anything I can obtain from her. She is molding me to become an efficient intergovernmental relations employee, because as we discussed in a meeting what this job entails is exactly what I would be doing when I return to my reservation and work with them. As we (my tribe) are a sovereign nation our government must establish good government-to-government relationships to ensure we can succeed as a whole. Whether it be dealing with local government, state government, and federal government someone will have to know how to approach the situation correctly. I imagine it would be a big departure to the intergovernmental relations team if she does receive the position but everyone there wants her to advance and the team is tight knit to where they will handle anything that may come. And I will be able to see the outcome during my internship as interviews are happening now and I think there will be some change in the department, we shall see. Ready set go...

SKYE

Works Every Time... [Free Write]

So I've been to quit a few functions along with Mayor Lewis for the town of Gilbert, and it has been fun and educational. Working on the networking more and more, seeing the familiar faces and getting approached by others because I am new and becoming a familiar face too, haha. I was doing research on a project I am doing and I seen an article in a google search involving Gilbert and Cox cable. And as I stated before with the town council I have took it upon myself to do my own self research to be better informed on the personnel and topics. So I started to read into the incident and researched this topic more with what was available. So back to a function with Mayor Lewis, we were leaving a Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) Passing of the Gavel luncheon, I was riding with Mayor Lewis and Councilwoman Daniels. It was then they started to talk about the situation with Gilbert and Cox cable. They were trying to remember the involvement of an individual and what the outcome of that was pertaining to the overall outcome. I mentioned what I knew from my research and it happens I knew the exact incident they were speaking of and I got a look from the both of them. They were impressed with my knowledge on the subject and being able to discuss it with them because this incident happened before my internship had started. Me taking the effort to learn more about the relevant subjects and to be knowledgeable enough to take any opportunity to show I am eager to be apart of the Town of Gilbert team, works every time.

SKYE